Exiles · Chapter
Dramatis Personae explained
This chapter introduces the main characters and setting of the play: Richard Rowan, a writer; Bertha; their son Archie; Robert Hand, a journalist; Beatrice Justice, his cousin and a music teacher; Brigid, an old servant; and a fishwoman.
What happens
This chapter introduces the main characters and setting of the play: Richard Rowan, a writer; Bertha; their son Archie; Robert Hand, a journalist; Beatrice Justice, his cousin and a music teacher; Brigid, an old servant; and a fishwoman. The action takes place in the Dublin suburbs of Merrion and Ranelagh during the summer of 1912.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Breaking point
Bertha’s admission that “that time is gone” marks the emotional and psychological peak, as she openly acknowle…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingCharacters to notice
- Richard Rowan
Introduced as a writer, the central male figure.
- Bertha Rowan
Introduced as Richard's partner and mother of Archie.
- Archie Rowan
Introduced as the eight-year-old son of Richard and Bertha.
- Robert Hand
Introduced as a journalist.
- Beatrice Justice
Introduced as Robert's cousin and a music teacher.
Key passages
“Dramatis Personae Richard Rowan, a writer Bertha Archie, their son, aged eight years Robert Hand, journalist Beatrice Justice, his cousin, music teacher Brigid, an old servant of the Rowan family A Fishwoman At Merrion and Ranelagh, suburbs of Dublin. Summer of the year 1912.”
The cast of characters includes Richard Rowan, a writer; Bertha; their eight-year-old son Archie; Robert Hand, a journalist; his cousin Beatrice Justice, a music teacher; Brigid, the Rowan family's longtime servant; and a fishwoman. The play is set in the Dublin suburbs of Merrion and Ranelagh during the summer of 1912.
This opening establishes the dramatis personae and setting for the play.
